Fire Alarm Flashers And Call Points Learn More About Fire Alarm System Components

Fire alarm flashers are a worthwhile addition to any fire alarm system they provide a visual warning of fire

. Fire alarm flashers first emerged on to the fire alarm market in the 1970s, mostly as red or white incandescent lights and as an accessory to existing fire alarm horns. By the 80s new fire alarm system installations were including fire alarm flashers as standard as the major benefits of having these devices became apparent.

A fire alarm flasher is essential in many types of application such as where background noise in a busy factory inhibits workers hearing or where people could be wearing ear plugs or ear protectors. Fire alarm flashers will grab the attention of those people and let them quickly know there could be immediate danger.

Another situation where fire alarm flashers could save lives is in letting hearing-impaired or deaf people know that there is a fire alarm situation. Much the same as able people will react to the sound of an audible fire alarm, the hearing-impaired will know to react the same way to a fire alarm flasher and take appropriate action such as evacuating the building.

Fire alarm flashers work on the same principle as fire alarm sounders and it is often possible to purchase combined fire alarm sounder-flashers to reduce the number of devices in your fire alarm system. As soon as the fire alarm control panel registers the fire signal from a fire detector the sounders and flashers in the alarm system will all receive a signal to activate. Traditionally the fire alarm flasher will emit a red strobe light but it is possible to purchaseflashers in colourless enclosures and even amber or blue.

Fire alarm flashers are also available in a number of styles and designs low-profile flashers, round flashers, square flashers, domed flashers and even weather-proof flashers are on the market so you can choose the ideal fire alarm flasher to suit the feel and function of your premises.

Manual Call Points

Manual call points are an intrinsic part of a successful fire alarm system they allow YOU to be a fire detector.

Manual call points, MCPs, break glasses whatever you want to call them are used by the public to alert a fire alarm system that a fire has been discovered. They are brilliant for the early detection of fire and are often used before other types of fire alarm detector have sensed other indications of fire like smoke or a rapid increase in temperature.

If you ever see a fire and an alarm is not sounding it would be wise to use the nearest manual call point as early detection of fire can save lives and thousands of pounds worth of damage.

When a manual call point has been used a signal is sent the fire alarm control panel. This then activates the warning devices in the alarm system such as the fire alarm sounders and flashers. If its a false alarm the call point can simply be reset by the use of a special key.

The modern manual call points that we are familiar with today were introduced in Europe in the 70s. In those days the element that had to be depressed to trigger the alarm was made of glass, hence earning manual call points the nickname break glass in the UK.

Over the years manual call points became a target for vandalism and trouble-makers. In areas where this was commonplace replacing used manual call points became costly and time-consuming. This led manufacturers to develop call points that used only plastic, allowing a used manual call point to simply be reset after use. For extra protection from accidents/abuse many manual call points now come with plastic covers that have to be lifted before the element can be depressed.

BS5839 is the British Standard that governs manual call points, in Europe EN54 applies. This dictates that a manual call point will:

1. Have a frangible (breakable) element to activate alarms

2. Be installed at a a height of 1.2m so its easily accessible by people of all heights and abilities

3. Be located throughout exit routes, at stairway entrances and building exits

4. Be located at a distance of no more that 45m from another manual call point (or 25m apart for a disabled person)

by: Darren Drogan

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